laminated mast - glue line

[Gregg Spies]

I have to laminate three pieces if timber together for an unstayed mast, and the plans are not clear as to which way the glue lines should run...ie fore and aft, or side to side. I am thinking fore and aft, as it would be stronger in that plane and allow for mast flex to the sides.

Am i correct?

It is only a shortish mast at 4.6m long for a Jimmy Skiff and has a leg'o'mutton sail.

Thanks

[Frank Hagan]

Fore and aft would be my guess, for the reason you cited, especially with plain sawn wood.  I suspect that the loads are not that high on the mast, and it probably won't matter that much.     

[Al Stead]

I lamenated up the mast for my weekender this afternoon.  I made it as a four sided box.  I oriented the glue lines so that they fell on the sides like you.  I also glued in some blocks to fill the inside space at critical places on the mast such as where the gooseneck is  mounted.  The main reason I oriented the lines on the side is I didn't want to drill holes through the glue line to shove bolts through.  I don't know if it matters that much, but it seemed the thing to do.

Al

[Gregg Spies]

Fore and aft it is...(i will let you all know if it snaps!!!!!)lol

Gregg

[Guest LeeH]

Masts are made to be broken anyway  .

Gregg, what is the boat in your avatar thing? Do you have a larger pic of it?

[Guest LeeH]

OK. I think I've got it now. That's your Mill Creek 13 (saw the other thread). Still like to see a bigger pic of it, tho.

[Gregg Spies]

Hi Lee, you are testing me now! I will try to upload a pic for you. ( Yep, it is a Mill Creek 13...wife said i had to start small and work my way up) here goes with attempt to upload.....

[Guest LeeH]

Wow ! Very nice. Similar looking to a 15-foot canoe project I find myself mired in right now.

[Gregg Spies]

Thanks Lee, I even surprised myself at how well it turned out. Marvellous what you can do when you follow instructions!!

Make sure you post some pics of your build too.